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Fulkerson - Stevenson Funeral Home

Alton Vernald Hillesland
7.2.1928 - February 10, 2024

Place of Birth: Calmar, Iowa
 Residence: Sidney, Montana
 Age: 95

Doug Hettich
Feb 12, 2024
Very sad to hear the news about Alton. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Family.

God Bless
Heather and Ray Johnson (Sidney)
Feb 12, 2024
Alton is truly one of the neatest men we’ve ever known. What an amazing life he led and legacy he has left behind.
Colleen Johnson (Portland, TX)
Feb 12, 2024
A loss for the community who will be missed greatly. I remember Alton as pastor when I was young, at my grandparents 50th anniversary and my parents 60th anniversary. Prayers of comfort for the family.
Wes and Robin Peterson
Feb 12, 2024
Chris and family,

Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Rhuby (Roseville, MN)
Feb 12, 2024
May peace come quickly, and your memories always bring happy smiles
Jane Kieson (Watford City , ND)
Feb 13, 2024
He was a great man. He was a joy to be around. Loved his visits to Good Shepherd Home when I worked there.
Jane Kieson
Tammie McCormick (Culbertson, Mt)
Feb 13, 2024
So very sorry to hear of Pastor Hillsland’s passing. Keeping you all in thoughts & prayers!
Diane (Thiel) Grote (Pottsboro , TX)
Feb 13, 2024
Chris and Sana. As I was blessed to know you, I was also to be blessed to know your dad. Sympathies to you and your vast family, but blessings as well. He lived a long creative life. Thinking of you. He had a special place in my heart.
Chole Crosby (Sidney, MT)
Feb 13, 2024
Pastor Alton will be missed. He always had encouraging words, was caring and showed kindness to all. May Our Lord continue to give you comfort and strength now and always. God Bless.
Hoppy and Georgia Hopfauf (Park City, , MT)
Feb 13, 2024
Chris and Family, so sorry for your loss, you are in our prayers!
Marilyn and Bryce Witt (Sidney , MT)
Feb 13, 2024
Alton truly lived his faith and his passing will leave a large hole in the community. Our condolences to the family. May you rejoice in your memories. Prayers for his family and friends.
Roger & Jody Petersen
Feb 13, 2024
This great man married us. Went to his council before and he shook his head, and said you will be fine! He was a kind Man and a good Pastor! God be with all those that feel this loss. We sure do.
Frank Dahl (Billings, Mt.)
Feb 13, 2024
We didn't go to Alton's Church but got to know him and respect him, he was one of a kind in many ways, he will be missed
Ken and Emily Hoff (Sidney)
Feb 13, 2024
To all the family of a very special man, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Alton will be missed by the many lives he has touched. May he rest in peace knowing he was loved by many.
Steinbeisser DelRae
Feb 13, 2024
Alton was such a gentle soul. I truly enjoyed his friendship. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Lisa Luft (Minot, ND)
Feb 13, 2024
Prayers for Pastor Hillesland's family during this difficult time.
Ann Johnsrud
Feb 13, 2024
Hillesland family, I was saddened to hear of Alton’s passing. Our family got to know him during his time in Watford City. He came to the ranch and rode horse on the Reserve with us during roundup. Such a kind, gentle man with a mighty faith. It showed in all he said and did. We were blessed to have him in our midst.
Sympathy to the family.
Kenny & Patti Leiseth (Arnegard , ND)
Feb 13, 2024
We got to know Alton when he was pastor of the Watford City Banks/Garden parish & remember him as one of the kindest & most down-to-earth gentleman ever. I had the joy of accompanying him many times when he played his violin for church - what fun he was! God bless all of his family & the many memories he left us with.
Natalie (Lambert) Rudolph (Conrad, Montana )
Feb 13, 2024
My condolences to the families of, Pastor Alton Hillesland. May you rest in Peace within our Saviors arms, Mr Hillesland.
Pastor Johannes Hoffmann (Geisenheim, Germany)
Feb 14, 2024
Dear Hillesland family, Alton was such a gift from God. I am thankful for the visits at his "Klostua Ranch" during my time in MT in 1997-99 and the last visit in 2016. May he rest in the peace of the Lord that he preached.
Steve and Brenda Lautenschlager (Belgrade, MN)
Feb 14, 2024
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. He was a very wonderful man. We are keeping you in our prayers
Mary spaabeck (Fairview , Mt)
Feb 14, 2024
What a gifted man and a full life. He was always very kind to people. I remember him as pastor of the Lutheran church in Culbertson. Heartfelt condolences to all his family.
David Hillesland (Midwest City , Oklahoma )
Feb 14, 2024
To God be the glory for the best uncle one could have. Rest in peace in paradise with parents and brothers forever.

14012
Kristin Hallgrimson, Karen Smith (Skedsvold’s) (Missoula & Fallon, MT)
Feb 14, 2024
We were blessed to have known Alton Hillesland as our pastor first, and soon after that, as a treasured family friend, especially to our mom & dad. Karen was confirmed by him. Later Pastor Hillesland joined Bruce & Karen in marriage (50 years ago/1974).
Alton was an amazing comfort & friend to our dad when Mom died. He lifted all of us when he spoke at Mom’s funeral in his familiar calming/kind voice & in the verses he’d chosen to read. (He knew them both so well, by then.)
Pastor Alton lifted us all once more, 9 months later when our dad died. For the 2nd time we gathered in the Alexander, ND Lutheran church - where Mom &
Dad were both confirmed. We were all so grateful to have Alton in our midst, even though the two funerals must have been difficult for him. He rose to the occasion- stood in his ‘faith’/& fueled by that same faith, spoke words of love to ALL of us. ..And the greatest of these is, love.

A Christian has gone home.
to the waiting arms of God.
Even in the midst of sorrow,
our hearts rejoice
in the glorious hope of Heaven.

With our sincere sympathies to ALL of his family,
Kristin and Karen. (Skedsvold)
Erica Johnsrud (Watford City, ND)
Feb 14, 2024
Pastor Hillesland was one of my favorite pastors ever. He served the church in Watford City during many of my younger years. I remember his kindness, gentleness, and love. I recall his last service in WC, I was well into high school but still went down for his last children’s sermon. I don’t recall what his message, but do recall his great faith and great example. My deepest condolences to his family.
Marvin and Kathy Eberling (Plentywood, MT)
Feb 14, 2024
So sorry to hear about the passing of Alton. A great man who touched the hearts of many. He had a comforting demeanor and we will always be thankful for his many visits with mom and dad. Thank you Pastor Hillesland! Greatly missed always remembered.
Steve and Brenda Lautenschlager (Belgrade, MN)
Feb 15, 2024
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. He was a very wonderful man. We are keeping you in our prayers
Bob & Marcia Goss (Sidney, MT)
Feb 15, 2024
This man was a ray of sunshine wherever he happened to be. He had a great sense of humor. So sorry for the Hillesland family.
Heather and Ray Johnson (Sidney)
Feb 15, 2024
Alton is truly one of the neatest men we’ve ever known. What an amazing life he led and legacy he has left behind.
Deb Cavanaugh (Seeley Lake, MT)
Feb 15, 2024
Alton was such an ambitious man and truly lived his faith. Greg always liked visiting with Alton because he was a wealth of knowledge. May he rest in peace and may all his family find comfort in the great man that he was.
Tiffany (Carroll) Lamkin (Boiling Springs, South Carolina)
Feb 16, 2024
I have so many great memories of Alton as I was growing up. He was a great man, and will be greatly missed in the community. I am praying for comfort and peace for his family.
Susan Wanner (Williston, ND)
Feb 16, 2024
Tom and all. my sincere sympathies in your loss. Was so good to see him This summer in Culbertson. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all.
Kenneth & Milana Berg (Arnegard, North Dakota)
Feb 16, 2024
My Mom "Aldamay "Tiny" Johnson, Walt & Olga Hovet had some good music jam sessions. Mom
always said that Alton fit just like an old shoe. Our
family thought the world of him.
The Bergs,
Kenneth, Milana & Janille
Jay Grimsrud (Fairview, MT)
Feb 17, 2024
I am so sorry I missed the service, I hadn't heard the news. My condolences to all.
Kari Skedsvold (Portland, OR)
Feb 17, 2024
Dear Hillesland Family,
Thank you for sharing this great man with all of us. I cannot emphasize enough how much he impacted my family and me. One of the wisest people I have even known. His words in a time of darkness lifted me and healed me. My heart is sad, but heaven gained an angel.
Erica Johnsrud (Watford City, ND)
Feb 18, 2024
Pastor Hillesland was one of my favorite pastors ever. He served the church in Watford City during many of my younger years. I remember his kindness, gentleness, and love. I recall his last service in WC, I was well into high school but still went down for his last children’s sermon. I don’t recall what his message, but do recall his great faith and great example. My deepest condolences to his family.
Crystal Stai (Fairview, MT)
Feb 19, 2024
I am so sorry to hear about Pastor Hillesland passing. He baptized my sister and nephew and married my dad and Sue. He was a wonderful, well-liked man. He will be missed by many.
Carolyn Hier Zimmer (Helena, Montana)
Feb 21, 2024
Sana, Chris and all the family, Sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure your dad is resting peacefully in the light of Jesus' face and that you will see him again one day. He accomplished so many things in his lifetime, truly amazing! Peace be with you.
Judy Linde (Billings, Mt. )
Feb 22, 2024
My most sincere condolences to all of Pastor Alton’s family. I will always remember your Dad as a kind, gentle natured man. Please know I’m thinking of all of you at this time and I hold you in my prayers.